Learn-To-Swim Program

The City of Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department has a long history of teaching swim lessons. In fact, the Parks and Recreation Aquatics division is credited for teaching over 36,000 swim lessons in the last 8 years. Countless more before that when our program was called the Gus and Goldie Learn-to-Swim Program.

We have come a long way since the early days of Gus and Goldie, and we’re excited to present the latest upgrades to you. Our new swim curriculum is based on extensive research, and is focused on the mastery of skills in a way that provides personalized attention and lets students set the pace.

The City of Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide range of swimming options to improve swimming skills, build confidence in the water, and teach personal safety.

Students will learn water safety skills and build stroke technique, developing skills that prevent chronic disease, increase social-emotional and cognitive well-being, and foster a lifetime of physical activity.

All lessons are conducted under the supervision of certified life guards and taught by nationally certified swim instructors trained in CPR, AED, First Aid and Oxygen Administration.

Parent taught Level 1 Star Fish (6-35 months) This class is for parent and infant/ toddler and is designed to teach parents how to work safely with their infant or toddler in the water, including how to appropriately support and hold their child in the water and how to prepare and encourage their child to participate fully and try their skills. Children are introduced to basic skills that lay a foundation to help them learn to swim. Class length is 25 minutes. Class ratio is 1:6.

PARENT & CHILD LEVEL 2 (AGES 1-3)

Preschool Level 2 Sea Horse (1-3 years) Children in this class will learn basic water adjustment skills. Children start developing good attitudes and safe practices around the water. Most skills in this class are performed with assistance with parent. Children will begin learning arm and leg actions on the front and back to gain more proficiency for future strokes. Exit Skills Assessment: Enter independently, using either the ladder, steps or side, submerge to mouth and blow bubbles for at least 3 seconds then safely exit the water, do fully submersible bobs. While in shallow water, glide on front at least 2 body lengths, then roll to back and float on back for 3 seconds then recover to a vertical position. Class length is 25 minutes. Class ratio is 1:6.

PARENT & CHILD LEVEL 3 (AGES 3-4)

Preschool Level 3 Jelly Fish (3-4 years) The objective of this class is to build on skills learned in Preschool Aquatics by providing additional guided practice of basic aquatic skills at slightly more proficient levels and greater distances and times. This class is to be taught with minimum parent assistance. Children are to be traveling at least 5 yards Skills in this level are preformed independently. Children improve coordination of combined arm and leg actions. Students must have taken the preschool class to enroll or perform all pre class skills. Exit skills assessment: Step from side into chest-deep water, move into a front float for 5 seconds, roll to back, float for 5 seconds then return to a vertical position. Move into a back float for 5 seconds, roll to front then recover to a vertical position. Push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions on front for 5 body lengths, roll to back, float for 5 seconds, roll to front then continue swimming for 5 body. Class length is 25 minutes. Class ratio is 1:6.

LEVEL 1 (AGES 4-7)

LEVEL
1 Clown Fish Participants will start to learn basic personal water safety
information and skills, to help participants fell comfortable in the water and
to enjoy the water safely. Students learn elementary aquatic skills. Children
will practice chicken airplane soldier, front and back crawl arm motions introduced,
underwater glides, Assessment: Enter the water independently, bob 3 times then
safely exit the water. Glide on front at least 2 body lengths, roll to a back
float for 3 seconds and recover to a vertical position, front and black floats.
(This can be done with support). Class ratio is 1:6.

LEVEL 2 (AGES 4-7)

LEVEL 2 Sea Turtles (4-7 years) At this level, participants begin to achieve success with fundamental skills. Participants learn to float without support and to recover to a vertical position. Completion Requirements: Step from side into chest-deep water, move into a front float for 5 seconds, roll to back, float for 5 seconds then return to a vertical position. Move into a back float for 5 seconds, roll to front then recover to a vertical position. Push off and swim using combined arm and leg actions for 5 body lengths or 15 feet. (You can assist with taking a breath). Class ratio is 1:6

LEVEL 3 (AGES 4-15)

LEVEL 3 Seals (4-15 years) must complete prior level or equivalent skills) The back crawl and front crawls will be emphasized. Students will get introduction to dead water and treading water. Safety & survival skills will be expanded. Completion Requirements: Jump into deep water, swim front crawl for 45 feet half the pool length and back crawls for 15 feet, maintain position by treading or floating for 30 seconds and swim elementary backstroke for 5 body lengths or 15 feet. Class ratio is 1:6.

LEVEL 4 (AGES 6-15)Level 4 Dolphins (6-15 years) must complete prior level or equivalent skills) This class is designed to build upon the skills mastered at Level 3. Students improve their skills and develop more endurance to swim greater distances. Introduction to Breaststroke, sidestroke, butterfly and basics of turning at the wall are taught. Exit Skills Assessment: swim front crawl for 75 feet, swim elementary backstroke for 45 feet. Swim breaststroke for 15 feet, swim back crawl for 45 feet. Class ratio is 1:8.

LEVEL 5 (AGES 6-15)

Level 5 Sharks (6-15 years) must complete prior level or equivalent skills) Participants coordinate & refine the key strokes: front crawl, elementary backstroke, back crawl, sidestroke, breaststroke, butterfly, work on turns, dives and treading water. Exit Skills Assessment: shallow-angle dive into deep water, swim front crawl for down and back length of pool 150 feet, swim elementary backstroke down and back length of pool or 150 feet. Swim breaststroke for one length of pool or 75 feet, swim back crawl for one length of pool or 75 feet. Class ratio is 1:8.

Adult Learn-to-Swim: Class will consist of Three levels, Beginner. intermediate, and Advance. Beginner: Adults who currently do not know how to swim or have a fear of water. We have basic survival skills and beginner stokes, to help patron feel more confident in the water. Intermediate/Advance: Classes are for all who would like to further their swimming and improve on technique and gain more endurance and consistency in their swimming abilities.